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"Random Subject Prompts"

Chapter 105: Junta Hayami

Anime: Romantic Killer

Prompt: My brother's friend

Chapter Warning(s): Souta and Junta are 15 years old, while Kagome is 22 years old.

Author's Note: Not connected to the previous chapter, in case that had been a question.

JH*KH*JH

~Higurashi Shrine~

"Hey, I'm home," Souta called out in greeting, opening the front door and allowing his guest to follow right behind him. "I brought a friend over, too!"

Smiling, Junta entered the house. "Pardon the intrusion," he said.

"Welcome home," Kagome said, greeting the two. She blinked in surprise, taking in Junta and his six-foot-one height. If she hadn't noticed his high school uniform, she would've assumed he was older. Did they make high schoolers that tall now, she wondered. "Ah, and you are…?"

Bashfully, Junta bowed. He could feel his cheeks heating from embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry! I'm Junta – Junta Hayami. Nice to meet you!" From his bowed position, he peeked at the raven-haired beauty. His cheeks heated further, and he mentally bemoaned the fact that he knew his face resembled a tomato.

He'd known Souta had an older sister, but Junta had never met her before that moment. The last time he'd visited the shrine, he'd been in middle school. Back then, Souta's friends had raged about how pretty Kagome was and, of course, Junta had heard the rumors. Now, he could confirm for himself that she was, indeed, pretty.

Very pretty, his mind supplied. Becoming flustered, he squeezed his eyes closed. What was he thinking? That was his friend's sister! His older sister, in fact. Junta shouldn't be having these kinds of thoughts. This is so embarrassing!

Kagome brightened, smiling at Junta. "It's nice to meet you, too, Junta. My name's Kagome. Make yourself at home."

Souta commented, "I didn't know you'd be home, Sis. You don't have work today?"

"I got the day off. What are you two up to?"

The younger Higurashi sibling cringed dramatically. "Homework. We also have to study for an exam, so we'll be studying in the living room."

"I don't miss those days," she lightly chuckled. She turned amethyst orbs onto Junta, and he jumped slightly from the attention. "I'll make some refreshments for you guys. What would you like, Junta? I can make some tea, or we have juice in the fridge."

"Ah, juice is fine," he quickly answered, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "Thank you, Higurashi-san."

She waved away his words. "Just call me Kagome."

"Right…" His face was going to be permanently red. "Thank you… Kagome."

Souta rolled his eyes at his friend's antics. He should've known that not even Junta would've been immune to his sister's innate charm and ability to attract people to her. It had always been that way, which is why he hesitated to invite any of his male friends over to the shrine. They'd be taken in by her natural beauty, then ensnared by her kindness and charismatic personality. Hook, line, and sinker.

And with Junta's sincere personality, the poor boy hadn't stood a chance.

JH*KH*JH

Souta entered the kitchen after showing Junta to the living room. He cast a baleful glance at his sister. "You're doing it again, Sis," he accused.

Kagome glanced over her shoulder, a bewildered look on her pretty face. "What are you talking about, Souta?"

"Do you always have to be so… you… whenever I bring my friends over?"

She gave him an appalled look. "What is that supposed to mean?"

He rolled his eyes. "Like you don't know? Why do you have to be so – you know – charming and nice, and… and…" In frustration, he gestured with both hands in her overall direction.

She gave him a deadpanned stare. "You just gestured to all of me."

"Well, stop it. Just stop being… you. You're making my friends all fall in love with you. It's so annoying when all they want to do is talk about you and stuff." He released a huff, grumbling, "And it's not like I can beat them up for talking about my sister. Committing murder is still illegal."

The way she scrunched her nose up was adorable – and Souta sighed loudly. Seriously, he mentally groaned, what the hell was wrong with her? He needed to hide her away, at least on the days he planned on bringing guests over.

Such was the life of a younger sibling who had to deal with their attractive older sibling, he supposed.

"It's not like I can just turn this… whatever it is you assume I have… off," Kagome said, pouting. Her amethyst orbs suddenly sparkled, and Souta braced himself for her next words. "And even though he's your friend, I have to admit that Junta is pretty handsome."

Scowling at her, Souta forcefully took the tray of refreshments she'd prepared and stomped out of the kitchen. But not before calling back, "I'm never bringing my friends over again!"

Alone, Kagome laughed out loud. "Souta is still so cute," she said. "He's so fun to tease."

JH*KH*JH

Prompt: Chewy protein bars

[extra scene]

Kagome glanced around the high school campus, amethyst orbs curiously taking in her surroundings. Souta had studied hard to get into the school, she knew, especially since they had an outstanding athletic program.

He's into baseball now, she reminded herself. Souta had always been interested in sports. For the longest time, he used to play soccer. In middle school, baseball had caught his attention, and he hadn't stopped playing since then.

"Kagome?" a semi-familiar voice questioned, catching the raven-haired beauty's attention. She turned, and then smiled when she recognized the tall teenager.

"Junta," she greeted.

Junta felt the flush that overtook his features as he gazed at his friend's older sister. He couldn't stop the reaction even if he'd wanted to. Ever since they'd been introduced, his thoughts had been fogged with images of her pretty face and gentle smile.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts. He smiled. "What brings you here? Are you looking for Souta?"

"Yeah," she answered. Holding up a small container, she said, "I made some protein bars for him and his team, but he forgot it this morning. I came home from work and saw it on the counter, so I thought I would bring it here."

"Wow, that's so nice of you." He blinked at the container of treats. "We're both on the baseball team. He's probably getting ready for practice."

"Really? That's great! Would you be okay with leading the way there?"

He nodded. "Sure, no problem. I was headed in that direction anyway."

"Thank you so much, Junta. You're a lifesaver," she said, smiling happily. As they started walking, she opened the container and offered, "Would you like to have one now?"

Junta bashfully rubbed the back of his head. "If you really don't mind…"

"Of course not. Help yourself!"

"Thank you, Kagome." Biting into the bar, his eyes brightened. "Oh, they're chewy, too."

"It that bad?" she asked, worried.

He grinned. "No way! They're delicious."

JH*KH*JH

In the locker room, Souta tightened his shoelaces as he absently listened to the rest of his teammates talk around him. Their voices were like a buzz in his ears, the sounds going in one way and exiting out the other. His mind was focused on practice, knowing the coach was going to set a grueling schedule in preparation for their upcoming game.

"Hey, who is Hayami walking with?"

"What do you mean? He's probably with that cute childhood friend of his."

Souta pulled on his baseball cap, fixing the bill to his liking. He hated it when he pulled it down too low. It blocked his field of vision, and he couldn't see where the ball was. But if he left it too high on his forehead, the sunlight blinded him.

"Nah, man, that's not Hoshino. I've never seen this chick before. She's freaking gorgeous."

"Where? I want to see!"

He absently fixed his baseball uniform, tugging his shirt to smooth out any wrinkles. Not that it mattered. By the time practice was over, it would be sweaty and dirty.

"Did Hayami get a girlfriend and not tell anyone? Since when?"

"That's got to be his girlfriend. Look at them! They're so lovey-dovey. She even brought food for him! He's such a lucky bastard."

Souta thoughtfully looked up at the ceiling. The mention of food made him think about something Kagome may have mentioned last night. What had she said? Was he supposed to bring something to practice? He couldn't remember.

"Lucky is right! I mean, look at her. She looks like a model, especially with that dark colored hair and milky skin. Have you ever seen someone with amethyst-colored eyes before?"

"And she can obviously cook. Damn it, Hayami really lucked out, didn't he?"

Souta froze, dread beginning to sink within his chest. What had the other guys been saying? Looks like a model? Dark colored hair? Milky skin? Amethyst eyes?

No, he vehemently denied. No, they couldn't be talking about her. Right? There was no way Kagome would be–

"Oh, he's coming. We should interrogate that guy while we have the chance."

Souta swore he started sweating bullets. He started mentally chanting, though he knew it was inevitable. Please, please, please don't be–

As soon as Junta entered the locker room, protein bar still in hand, he smiled at Souta and said, "Hey, Souta, your sister is here to see you."

His words went off like a bomb. Inwardly, Souta started swearing and cursing Kagome for putting him in this position. Now he would have to transfer schools from the bloodbath she had unknowingly unleashed.

"Higurashi, that's your sister?"

"Dude, where have you been hiding her all this time?"

"We should start visiting your place more often – especially when she's home."

"Hey, since Hayami isn't dating her, introduce me!"

"How old is she? She obviously doesn't go to this school. Is she in college?"

"Can I have her number?"

Unable to take it anymore, Souta released an unintelligible shout and swiftly ran out of the locker room. When he reached Kagome, he grabbed her hand and started dragging her in the opposite direction. If one were listening closely, they would hear the verbal scolding he was giving her.

"Why did you come here, Kagome? Do you know what you just caused? I'm going to have to transfer schools now. There's no way I can show my face here anymore. Do you even realize how much guys gossip? It's worse than girls! Now that they know what you look like and that we're related, I'm never going to have a peaceful high school life. I'm going to get bombarded with questions about you until the day I die. The day I die, Kagome! And murder is still illegal, you know. It was so much easier in middle school when I used to lie and say you had gotten married and moved away. Now, what am I supposed to tell my friends?"

And as Souta continued to rant and scold her, Kagome couldn't help smiling sweetly at him. Despite being a teenager now, he's still so cute, she affectionately thought. Her attention drifted down to the container still in her hand.

"But what am I going to do with these protein bars now?"

Souta scowled in response, his eyes glaring at the mentioned container. "That's another thing," he continued to rant, "do you have to be such a good cook and baker? Do you realize that you're every guy's dream girl? I thought I already told you: You need to stop being so… you. I'd like to graduate from high school with at least one friend who isn't halfway in love with you. Is that too much to ask? Oh, and I shouldn't have to remind you, but murder is still illegal. Keep that in mind anytime you decide to leave the house. In fact, I don't think you should leave the house, period. That'll lessen the chances of some poor schmuck falling for you – especially my male friends and classmates. Because… well, murder is illegal."

Kagome smiled and nodded indulgently as her younger brother continued ranting and raging, completely ignoring it when he would glare at any of the guys who looked a little too long in her direction.

He's so fun to tease. I should visit him at school more often, she deviously thought. Besides, it would give her the perfect excuse to spend more time with Junta. He was so easily flustered, but he was also pleasant company. Though they had only known each other for a short time, his genuine and sincere personality drew her in.

It's decided then, she inwardly concluded.

Oblivious, Souta continued ranting, "And another thing, Kagome…"